Troops of Joint Task Force-Operation Enduring Peace (JTF-OPEP), has rescued two kidnapped victims at Kukawa Community of Kanam Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.

Capt. Polycarp Oteh, the Media Officer of the operation, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Jos.

He said that preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted on Feb. 22 from Mansur community of Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State.

“Troops who were on aggressive fighting patrol of the general area, made contact with the criminals while conveying the victims to their hideouts.

“The criminals immediately abandoned the victims and fled into nearby bushes.

“Victims have been debriefed and efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their families.

“Troops have continued to comb the bushes in order to apprehend the fleeing criminals and possibly rescue other abducted victims.”

In a related development, the media officer disclosed that troops of JTF-OPEP have arrested a suspected gun runner at Kurmin Goro community of Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.

“The 36-year-old suspect, identified as Vincent Ibrahim was intercepted while conveying five fabricated rifles to an undisclosed location in Kafanchan.

“Suspect is currently in troops’ custody undergoing interrogation, “he said

Oteh called on residents of Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna states to support JTF-OPEP and other security agencies towards ensuring lasting return to all troubled areas.